REPORTING HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN MICHIGAN

In Michigan, anyone may report suspected human trafficking or risk of trafficking.

Michigan law mandates that certain professionals must report cases of suspected abuse, neglect, and exploitation, including human trafficking, of minors (those under the age of 18). Suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable adults that involves human trafficking may also be reportable. Certainty of trafficking is not necessary.

Michigan law mandates that certain professionals must report cases of suspected abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable adults (those who are unable to protect themselves from exploitation because of a mental or physical impairment or advanced age). The abuse may be physical, mental, sexual, or financial. Suspected human trafficking in a vulnerable adult may qualify as reportable abuse under the law.

State guidelines direct mandated reporters to report to Adult Protective Services by calling 855-444-3911, and staff will investigate the situation within 24 hours. If the vulnerable adult is in immediate danger, the mandated reporter should notify the police (MDHHS, 2023).

Mandated Reporters

Mandated reporters in the state of Michigan include:

• Physician, dentist, physician’s assistant, registered dental hygienist, medical examiner, nurse, licensed emergency medical care provider
• Audiologist, psychologist, physical therapist, physical therapist assistant, occupational therapist, athletic trainer, marriage and family therapist, licensed professional counselor, social worker, licensed master’s social worker, licensed bachelor’s social worker
• Registered social service technician, social service technician
• Person employed in a professional capacity in any office of the friend of the court
• School administrator, school counselor, teacher
• Law enforcement officer
• Member of the clergy
• Childcare provider who is regulated by the state of Michigan
• Any employee of an organization or entity that, as a result of federal funding statutes, regulations, or contracts, would be prohibited from reporting in the absence of a state mandate or court order
• The following staff members/employees of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS): eligibility specialist, family independence manager, family independence specialist, social services specialist, social work specialist, social work specialist manager, and welfare services specialist
  (RAINN, 2023)

Making a Report

Reports of abuse, neglect, or exploitation may be made through the Michigan online reporting system or by calling the Centralized Intake for Abuse and Neglect hotline at 855-444-3911 any time, day or night. If the reporter feels that a child or vulnerable adult is in imminent danger, they should call the police or sheriff first.

The identity of the mandated reporter is kept strictly confidential from the report, and there is civil and criminal immunity for any person who makes a report in good faith.

Mandated reporters must make an immediate report of any form of suspected child abuse or neglect, including human trafficking, online or by phone to the Centralized Intake for Abuse and Neglect hotline. A verbal report should include:

• The name and address of the child’s primary caretaker
• The names and birth dates for all members of the household
• The name and date of birth of the suspected abuser
• A statement of whether or not the suspected abuser lives in the home with the child or has access to the child
• The address where the suspected abuse or neglect occurred
• The reason that the mandated reporter suspects abuse or neglect

For telephone reports, a written report must follow within 72 hours. Reporting online eliminates the requirement to file a written report. The written report must include the following information to comply with the Child Protection Law:

• The name of the child
• A description of the abuse or neglect
• The names and addresses of the child’s parents/guardians
• The persons with whom the child resides
• The age of the child
• Any other information that might establish the cause of the abuse or neglect, or in what way the abuse or neglect occurred
  (RAINN, 2023)

Reporters are encouraged to use the DHS-3200 form for the written report because it includes all of the information that is required by law. The DHS-3200 form may be accessed online at michigan.gov/mandatedreporter and submitted in one of three ways:

• By email to: DHS-CPS-CIGrouop@michigan.gov
• By fax to: 616-977-1154 or 616-977-1158
• By mail to: Department of Health and Human Services, Centralized Intake for Abuse and Neglect, 5321 28th Street Court S.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Reporting Trafficking in Competent Adults

Competent adult victims of human trafficking have the rights to privacy and agency. Therefore, mandated reporters in Michigan are not obligated to report suspected human trafficking of competent adults to law enforcement. Since there is no mandate to report suspected trafficking of competent adults under Michigan law, it is important to follow institutional guidelines to avoid compromising an individual’s privacy in a healthcare setting. Healthcare professionals are, however, required to report when they are treating individuals for a nonaccidental injury that has been inflicted by a knife, gun, deadly weapon, or other means of violence (Human Trafficking Collaborative UOM, n.d.-b).

Finally, healthcare providers may counsel competent adult human trafficking victims and refer them to law enforcement and pertinent services. They may also make a confidential report to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (see box below).